It’s been a sobering month for Xavi and his players.
The momentum that carried Barcelona through February and March has run dry, and what comes next will be the true measure of the progress made under the young manager.
A top four finish is an expectation, not a goal, because it’s essential to the future of a club that’s still on the brink.
After the historic statement victory in the Clasico, and the successful run to the quarter-finals of the Europa League, it seemed there were two clear paths for Barcelona to qualify for the Champions League.